Marine Fisheries

Braxton Davis, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, upon the recommendation of Kelly Kimple, M.D., M.P.H., Acting State Health Director, Department of Health and Human Services, hereby announces that the following changes in shellfish harvesting areas will take effect at sunrise, Thursday, March 23, 2017.

All those waters in Brunswick, Onslow, and Carteret Counties will return to the status in existence immediately prior to the March 14, 2017, temporary closures except the following which remains closed:

BRUNSWICK / ONSLOW / CARTERET COUNTIES

Lockwoods Folly River - All those waters north of a line beginning at a point 33° 55.5678’ N - 78° 13.8043’ W on the south shore of Spring Creek near the mouth, running easterly to a point 33° 55.4621’N - 78° 13.1714’ W near the northern tip of Sheep Island, thence running southeasterly to a point 33° 55.2284’N - 78° 12.7791’ W near the northwest point of Horse Island, to include a portion of the Intracoastal Waterway north of Horse and Sheep Islands (see map).

All those waters bordered on the northeast by the North Topsail Beach High-rise Bridge and bordered on the southwest by a line beginning at a point on the mainland near Morris Landing; running southeasterly through IWW Beacon “49” to a point on Topsail Island at 34° 27.273’ N -77° 29.937’ W, to include all of Permuda Island and a portion of Stump Sound. Bear Creek - All those waters in Bear Creek upstream of a straight line across the mouth.

Queens Creek - All those waters in Queens Creek upstream of a straight line across the mouth.

White Oak River - All those waters in White Oak River north of a line beginning at a point 34° 41.9497' N -77° 06.9846' W on the west shore, running easterly near the northern tip of Jones Island, to a point 34° 41.9395' N -77° 05.6599' W on the east shore.

The following also remains closed:

NEW HANOVER COUNTY All those waters within 100 yards from the dredge spoils effluent pipe at US Army Corps of Engineers Disposal Area #241, located approximately 250 yards south of Fl Beacon “122” near the Mason Creek and IWW crossing.

B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the N.C. Fisheries Director under his delegated authority pursuant to N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103.

C. In accordance with N.C. General Statute 113-221.1(c) all persons who may be affected by proclamations issued by the Fisheries Director are under a duty to keep themselves informed of current proclamations.

D. This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Tubbs Inlet area, all those waters between IWW Beacon “84” and IWW Beacon “89”, a portion of Lockwoods Folly River, and a portion of White Oak River.

E. These reopenings are due to satisfactory bacteriological sampling results.